Dispatch 07
Welcome to The Strata, a bi-weekly newsletter that tells a serialized story about my filmmaking process and updates you on the Impact Campaign for my first feature film.
The following is a continuation of Dispatch 06, which ended with:
My mouth speaks before my brain can catch up to it.
“Could we do some filming together?”
My dad pauses for what feels like forever, then says:
“Okay.”
Dispatch 07: Mister Scoggin
We’re in a moving car. I am in my safe spot behind the camera, but I can’t stay here forever. I climb through the vehicle into the front seat and cower there. After an hour, I throw a wireless microphone in my dad’s direction. It magically hooks onto his shirt front by its vampire clip, a set of dual pins that stick into clothing fabric.
Later, I watch the footage down and realize that my memory painted a more vivid picture than what actually happened. I remember throwing the mic in terror; but what I see is me, from behind, attaching it gingerly to my dad’s shirt. I laugh and cheer visibly, celebrating, as if I’ve trapped a bear. My dad says, “I promise to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing more than most of the truth.”
First stop: my dad’s math and science classroom at Rodriguez Prep Academy. I feel like I’m snooping, even though I have permission to be here.
And I’m scared, even though the students are tiny and sweet and nine years old.
To be continued in the next dispatch.
Flood Theatrical Trailer is Live
We’re excited to share a 2-minute theatrical trailer. Please watch and share. You can also view on Vimeo.
Flood Tickets on Sale Now
Our theatrical run kicks off on Juneteenth and runs over Father’s Day weekend from June 19-25 in NYC. Buy tickets here:
Firehouse Cinema (June 19-25, three screenings daily)
Jacob Burns Film Center (Tue June 23, 6p)
Post-Screening Q&As and Impactful Conversations
The Flood Impact Campaign launches during our NYC theatrical run at the Firehouse Cinema and June 23 (one night only!) at the Burns.
Post-Screening Q&As + Impact Convos will feature, in chronological order:
Laura Poitras, Oscar-winning filmmaker and Flood Executive Producer. Most recent film Cover-Up (6/19)
Stuart Bogie, Flood film composer and musician (6/19)
April Kunis, Founder and Executive Director of Pause for America, a nonprofit dedicated to helping Americans build understanding across differences and engage in healthier conversations about challenging issues (Multiple Q&As 6/19-6/21)
Sarah Carr, Board President, Reclamation Collective, a nonprofit dedicated to holding space for religious trauma (Multiple Q&As 6/20-6/21)
Macky Alston, documentary filmmaker and mentor to Flood. Most recent film Acts of Reparation (Father’s Day Q&A 6/21)
Joey McIntyre, Blue Co-Chair, New York Chapter, Braver Angels, a nonprofit leading the nation’s largest cross-partisan, volunteer-led movement to bridge the partisan divide and strengthen our democratic republic (6/21)
Ryan, Board Member, The Liberati, helping people break free from high-control religion and build a better life (6/21)
Eric Hynes, Film Critic and Director of Film Curation and Programming at Jacob Burns Center (6/23)
Charles King, CEO and Co-Founder of Housing Works, a healing community that fights for inclusive care, social justice, and an end to homelessness (6/25)
Can’t Make it to NYC This Month?
Flood premieres nationwide on Independent Lens July 13. You can stream it on the new PBS Documentaries channel or watch the TV broadcast.
Stay tuned for updates on PBS watch parties and additional in-person screenings.
Thanks so much for reading and supporting this work!